harmonium

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from French harmonium, coined by French harmonium inventor Alexandre Debain in 1840. By surface analysis, harmony + -ium. First attested in 1847.

1. A small keyboard instrument that consists of a series of reed pipes, which sound when one of the keys is pressed to open a valve that allows air to pass through.

   “Pianos, melodiums, harmoniums, eolinas, &c. too dear at any price.”

   “The only other man was a little grey-headed fellow with a pleasant face and quick, twinkling eyes, who sat at a harmonium in the corner.”

2. Synonym of Hooke's atom.